News item:
So, okay, the guy who could have really helped the Cubs rotation isn’t available anymore. And here’s the money for Tatsuya Imai:
Yes, the Cubs could easily have afforded that. Maybe it wasn’t totally about money — remember, Imai had said at one point that he wanted to challenge himself by NOT signing with a team that already had Japanese players.
Thus, before you go blaming Tom Ricketts or Jed Hoyer for not making this deal, there could have been other factors.
In any case, this ought to get the starting pitcher market going, I’d think. There are still two starters from MLB Trade Rumors’ Top 50 on the market: Framber Valdez, formerly of Imai’s new team, and Ranger Suárez, who has been with the Phillies.
Here’s what I wrote about Valdez back in November.
And, just a couple days after that, I wrote this about Suárez.
Either one would be a fine addition to the Cubs rotation. I think I’d lean toward Suárez, as he is two years younger. Perhaps you differ.
Other starters still available include Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito and old friend José Quintana, among others. These pitchers are in what I’d call the “second tier” after Valdez and Suárez.
What should Jed Hoyer’s next move be?
